Report: Alabama backup QB may transfer before College Football Playoff

Cooper Bateman has reportedly already received his release from Nick Saban

Alabama could be down to just two scholarship quarterbacks for the College Football Playoff if Cooper Bateman decides to transfer out of the program before the semifinals on Dec. 31.

AL.com reports that Bateman, a competitor for the starting job each of the last two seasons, has already received his release to transfer. It's unknown whether the redshirt junior will be available to play on Dec. 31, according to the report.

"That decision for Bateman will come down to whenever the school he chooses to transfer to needs him on campus," AL.com Matt Zenitz reported early Sunday.

Blake Barnett, another quarterback that saw his chances to see the field dwindle as true freshman Jalen Hurts settled in as the Tide's starter, already transferred immediately out of the program in September in hopes to getting back on the field soon.

If Bateman does need to check in with his next school before Dec. 31, it will leave David Cornwell as the only scholarship backup to Hurts.